The Bioethics Commission described three goals of neural modification, including (1) maintaining or improving neural health and cognitive function within the range of typical or statistically normal human functioning, (2) treating neurological disorders, and (3) expanding or augmenting neural function. Although the third goal is sometimes associated with the pursuit of radical human enhancements, such as unyielding stamina or perfect recall, more realistically, expanding or augmenting neural function is associated with modest cognitive enhancement.

Novel forms of cognitive enhancement, such as the use of prescription stimulant drugs, are ethically controversial, and only limited evidence exists regarding their benefits and risks. In addition to recommending greater support for research on the prevalence, benefits, and risks of novel neural modifiers, the Bioethics Commission identified an area of particular ethical concern: the potential for cognitive enhancements to exacerbate existing inequalities between advantaged and disadvantaged groups, if they are available only to those who are already advantaged (for example by wealth, or social capital). However, the equitable distribution of cognitive enhancements could promote justice. Some evidence suggests that individuals with lower levels of baseline cognitive functioning experience a greater improvement from cognitive enhancements than those at a higher baseline level. If these results are borne out by future research, cognitive enhancement could be used to reduce inequities, for example, by reducing gaps in educational attainment.

The views, opinions and positions expressed by these authors and blogs are theirs and do not necessarily represent that of the Bioethics Research Library and Kennedy Institute of Ethics or Georgetown University.